Category: Legal Issues

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – A Tennessee man was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of five felony charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Ronald Colton McAbee, 29, of Unionville, Tennessee, was found guilty of all charges against him following a jury trial in U.S. District Court. McAbee was convicted of five felonies, including assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; civil disorder; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

            On Sept. 25, 2023, McAbee pleaded guilty to a separate felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer and a misdemeanor charge for an act of physical violence on the Capitol grounds before U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras in the District of Columbia.

            Judge Contreras will sentence McAbee on Feb. 29, 2024.

            According to the government’s evidence, on Jan. 6, 2021, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the U.S. Capitol building to assist the U.S. Capitol Police in maintaining the security of the Capitol from ongoing riots. At approximately 4:20 p.m., MPD officers made their way to an interior tunnel of the Capitol building. Here, they assumed a post in an Archway that provided access to the building’s Lower West Terrace.

            As the officers arrived, hundreds of individuals gathered outside the Archway, some throwing and/or swinging various makeshift weapons at the group of officers. At about 4:27 p.m., an MPD officer positioned toward the opening of the Archway was knocked to the ground, kicked, and stripped of his baton. During this incident, McAbee was positioned on the south side of the Archway and was able to observe the assault.

            After the officer was knocked to the ground, McAbee stepped into the Archway, grabbed the officer’s leg, and pulled him further towards the crowd. When a second MPD officer stepped off the police line to assist the downed officer, McAbee stood up, yelled at the officer who had stepped out to assist, and then swung his arms and hands towards the officer’s head and torso. McAbee made contact with the officer and was wearing reinforced knuckle gloves at the time of the assault.

            McAbee then returned his attention to the downed officer and lifted him by the torso and shoulders. As a result, McAbee and the officer slid down a set of steps, with McAbee falling on top of the officer. The two landed in the crowd, where McAbee lay on top of the officer while other rioters assailed the officer for over 20 seconds before the officer was finally able to get up and work his way back to the Archway. The officer sustained physical injuries, including a head laceration, concussion, elbow injury, bruising, and bodily abrasions. The officer was transported to the hospital and treated for his injuries.

            McAbee was arrested on Aug. 17, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee.

            The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Tennessee.

            The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington, Memphis, and Knoxville Field Offices, which identified McAbee as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #134 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

Jury Finds Zeba Bar Owner Paid Off Officials for Five Years

            WASHINGTON – Davoud Jafari, 72, a Washington D.C. nightclub owner, was found guilty today of bribery, conspiracy, and wire-fraud. The offenses arise from a multi-year-scheme in which he bribed former D.C. Tax Official Vincent Slater in order to avoid paying several hundred thousand dollars in business-related taxes. U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton will sentence Jafari on January 25, 2024.

            The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, with the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, D.C. Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas, and the D.C.Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee.

            According to the evidence at trial, Jafari owned a company called Gevani, Inc., which in turn owned and operated Zeba Bar and Grill, located in Columbia Heights. Between October 2012 and December 2017, Jafari collected sales and use taxes from Zeba Bar and Grill customers consisting of 10 percent of the cost of food and drinks purchased. Although Jafari was supposed to turn those tax dollars over to the district on a monthly basis, he instead wrote a check to middleman and co-defendant Anthony Merritt for approximately half the amount of taxes due. Merritt cashed the check and shared the proceeds with Slater, the then-manager of the District of Columbia’s Office of Tax Revenue’s (OTR) Adjustment Unit. In exchange, Slater took actions to falsify records for Jafari and to help Jafari’s company evade collection efforts by other OTR officials.

            Merritt pleaded guilty to all charges in the indictment on the first day of trial. On June 7, 2023, a separate jury also convicted Merritt of bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud for playing a similar role in a different scheme on behalf of businessman Andre De Moya (who was also convicted at trial). Merritt is scheduled to be sentenced in both cases on January 19, 2024. Slater previously pleaded guilty for his role in the Jafari scheme and the De Moya scheme and is awaiting a sentencing date.

            “Today’s verdict, and the investigation that preceded it, demonstrate the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s unwavering commitment to prosecuting and holding accountable individuals who seek to corrupt our local government agencies by bribing the public officials who work within them,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. “The defendants in these cases entered multiyear conspiracies to defraud the District of Columbia and its citizens. We will continue our tireless efforts to confront and eradicate such acts of corruption.”

            “Today’s guilty verdict is a positive step toward bringing Mr. Jafari and his co-conspirators to justice for their scheme to defraud the government and taxpayers of the District of Columbia,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jacobs. “The FBI will continue to work aggressively with our partners to enforce public corruption laws.”

            The statutory maximum sentence for conspiracy is five years in prison; for bribery, is 15 years in prison; and for wire fraud, is 20 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton will determine the appropriate sentence based on the guideline range and other factors.

            In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves commended the work of the agencies who investigated the case, including the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General, with substantial assistance by the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Integrity and Oversight.  He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Liliana Villamizar Michon Tart, Amanda Rhode, and Mariela Andrade, and former paralegal specialist Aisha Keys.

            Finally, he acknowledged the work of Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Miller and Timothy Visser, who prosecuted the case at trial, and Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Miller and Molly Gaston, who investigated the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights or District of Columbia charges against a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and a Special Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). On Feb. 2, 2023, a 44-year-old District resident, M.P., died of an overdose after ingesting narcotics. The detective and special agent were the last persons to see the decedent, who died at the MPD Second District Police Station while in the custody of law enforcement.

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the MPD Internal Affairs Division conducted a comprehensive review of the incident, which included a review of law enforcement and civilian accounts, cell block security camera footage, body-worn camera footage, physical evidence, recorded radio communications, forensic reports, the autopsy report, and reports from MPD.

            According to the evidence, at about 6:44 a.m. on Feb. 2, M.P. was arrested pursuant to a D.C. Superior Court warrant. M.P. was cooperative during the arrest and transported to the Second District Police Station for processing on the warrant. M.P. was coherent and cooperative and did not appear to be in distress during processing. After being placed in a cell, M.P. covered the cell block camera. After using the toilet, M.P. fell to the floor. The detective and special agent, unaware of the fall, attempted to interview him minutes later but M.P. appeared to be either sleeping or unwilling to speak with them. Later, M.P. was discovered unconscious in his cell. Emergency efforts to save his life were unsuccessful.  An autopsy performed on Feb. 3, 2023, and a subsequent toxicology review, determined that M.P. died as result of the combined effects of ingesting cocaine, fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, and heroin. 

            After a careful, thorough, and independent review of the evidence, federal prosecutors found insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the detective and special agent demonstrated deliberate indifference to M.P.’s condition or otherwise willfully violated M.P.’s rights.

Investigations generally

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office reviews all police-involved fatalities to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to conclude that any officers violated either federal criminal civil rights laws or District of Columbia law. 

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to investigating allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources necessary to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are investigated fully and completely. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division investigates all police-involved fatalities in the District of Columbia.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

Opened Fire on Innocent Bystanders

            WASHINGTON – Two members of the Wellington Park Crew were sentenced today in connection with the murder of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson, an innocent bystander gunned down on July 16, 2018, in the courtyard of a Washington, D.C., apartment complex that also left multiple people wounded.

            The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Isaiah Murchison, 23, was sentenced to 60 years in prison today by D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Okun after being found guilty on June 13 of first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, participation in a criminal street gang, multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and related firearms offenses.

            Marquell Cobbs, 21, was sentenced to 72 months in prison and three years of supervised release today after being found guilty on June 13 of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence. Previously, the jury found Cobbs not guilty of the charges related to the murder of Makiyah Wilson. However, it did find him guilty of his membership in the Wellington Park Crew.

            According to the government’s evidence, on July 16, 2018, Murchison, Gregory Taylor, Qujuan Thomas, and two others drove to the Clay Terrace neighborhood in Northeast Washington, D.C., armed with guns. The four men stepped out of the car and opened fire on the Clay Terrace courtyard, indiscriminately firing more than 50 shots.

            Makiyah Wilson, sitting on the front stoop of her home, was killed. Several other people were wounded. Fellow gang members Quentin Michals and Darrise Jeffers assisted the shooters by obtaining the weapons and vehicle used in the shooting. Despite having watched the defendants preparing for the shooting, no witnesses were willing to provide information regarding the gunmen’s identity. The government presented forensic evidence, statements the defendants made over social media, and motive evidence in presenting its case.

            Judge Okun will sentence the four other defendants on October 20.

            In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of the detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department who investigated the case as well as members of the prosecution team. The team included paralegal specialists Sharon Newman and Grazy Rivera and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Barker and Melissa Jackson, along with former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Timmer, who investigated the case. Finally, they thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Bach and Lindsey Merikas, who prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – A Texas man was sentenced today on felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, related to his conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Shane Jenkins, 45, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 84 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $5,176 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta. Jenkins was convicted of seven felonies and two misdemeanors, including assaulting law enforcement with a deadly or dangerous weapon, following a jury trial in the District of Columbia in March 2023.

            According to court documents and video evidence presented at sentencing, Jenkins traveled from his home in Houston to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2021, in order to attempt to hinder Congress’ certification of the electoral college vote. Before traveling, Jenkins posted on social media about his plans for violence and specifically contemplated bringing deadly weapons. In one social media post, Jenkins wrote, “I honestly wish we could drag ole Chuck Nancy and killary out and give em what for” and “I sent him the pic, and I have some sog tomahawks and tactical blades can I take those?”

            As stated in his social media posts, Jenkins brought a “Sog” brand metal tomahawk axe to Washington D.C., which he carried in his backpack the next day and took to the Capitol.

            On Jan. 6, 2021, Jenkins attended a rally at the Ellipse and then went to the Capitol building. He arrived at the West side around 2:40 p.m. and joined the rioters on the West Plaza. At around 3:00 p.m., he climbed to the Lower West Terrace and moved towards the composite window to the left of the LWT tunnel. Here, members of the United States Capitol Police (USCP), assisted by officers from the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), were arrayed inside the Tunnel entrance, prohibiting rioters from advancing further into the building.

            Jenkins climbed up to stand on the windowsill, recording the scene with his cellphone. Having watched other rioters fail to enter the Capitol through the Tunnel, Jenkins took matters into his own hands. At approximately 3:45 p.m., Jenkins retrieved the tomahawk from his backpack and put on protective gloves. Jenkins then struck the windowpane nearest him six times with the spike end of the tomahawk, causing the pulverized glass to spray with every strike. While he was striking the window, another rioter interrupted him by pulling at his pant leg. Jenkins shouted angrily to the crowd, “Are we going in or not?” Jenkins then continued to rile up the crowd, telling other rioters, “Bro, we’re going in that f— building one way or another” and “We paid for it; it’s our f— building.”

            Following Jenkins’ lead, other rioters eventually succeeded in destroying the window, clearing the way for access into the building. Other rioters entered this room and, among other things, disassembled the wooden furniture inside so that parts and pieces could be used as weapons. Jenkins and other rioters used these items to attack the officers attempting to block the entrance to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel.

            At around 3:55 p.m., Jenkins moved from the window towards the mouth of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel. Once he arrived, he waved other rioters forward as the crowd attempted to push a large flag into the Tunnel. When this effort failed, Jenkins pressed forward, shouting “Push,” as the rioters around him used pepper spray on the officers. Jenkins continued to press against officers and force his way into the Tunnel for over ten minutes, leaving only after being pepper-sprayed directly in the face and head multiple times.

            At approximately 4:27 p.m., Jenkins grabbed one of the riot shields the other rioters had stolen from officers and carried it with him as he climbed the steps leading to the Tunnel. Jenkins joined other rioters in a concerted assault on the officers defending the Tunnel entrance. As other rioters also attacked, Jenkins hurled nine different objects at the officers, including a solid wooden desk drawer. In addition to the desk drawer, Jenkins threw a flagpole, a metal walking stick, and a broken wooden pole with a spear-like point at police in the Tunnel. After his ninth attack, Jenkins returned to the window ledge where he had been standing earlier, retrieved his backpack, and left the area.

            In the days and weeks after the riot, Jenkins took to social media to brag about his conduct at the Capitol, calling the police “trash” and confirming that his motive had been to interfere with the certification of the election. In a message sent to an associate following the events of January 6th, Jenkins wrote, “I have murder in my heart and head. I love you, I’m not over this election, as our president so eloquently stated yesterday bull—, I am sorry man, I wanna scream and cry at all the same time.” He was arrested on March 5, 2021, in Houston, Texas.

            Jenkins was convicted of the following: corruptly obstructing an official proceeding of Congress; interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder; assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon; destruction of government property; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, all felonies. In addition to the felonies, Jenkins was convicted of misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings. 

            This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Houston and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Secret Service, the Architect of the Capitol, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

             WASHINGTON – A Florida man was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of two felony charges for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Gilbert Fonticoba, 49, of Hialeah, Fl., was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding and civil disorder, both felonies, following a stipulated bench trial before U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly. Judge Kelly scheduled a sentencing hearing for Jan. 11, 2024.

             According to the government’s stipulated evidence, Fonticoba – a member of the “Vice City” chapter of the Proud Boys in Miami since 2019 – was among rioters in a mob that illegally entered the Capitol grounds and Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. He helped destroy a black metal fence holding back the mob, and interfered with officers who were trying to stop the crowd’s advance because he wanted to stop the certification of the Electoral College vote. Many of his actions were documented on video by fellow members of the Proud Boys.

            On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Fonticoba met a group of approximately 100 members of the Proud Boys near the Washington Monument at 10 a.m. As instructed, Fonticoba did not wear any Proud Boys colors, but underneath his black jacket, Fonticoba wore a distinctive t-shirt that read “ENRIQUE TARRIO DID NOTHING WRONG!”

            Shortly after 10 a.m., the group of Proud Boys left the rally and began to march east to the Capitol. Fonticoba remained at or near the front of the marching group with senior Proud Boys leaders. Eventually, the group mustered into a column and surged forward towards a police barricade. Fonticoba was among the first wave of rioters to advance onto the Capitol grounds.

            At approximately 12:54 p.m., after crossing trampled police barricades, Fonticoba walked up the Pennsylvania walkway on the restricted grounds of the Capitol with several co-defendants. Joe Biggs, a leader of the Proud Boys, recorded himself and Fonticoba as they advanced toward the Capitol and formed a stack formation to advance to the front of the mob.

             Fonticoba and the others were stopped at a waist-high black metal fence that had been bolted into the ground. Law enforcement officers had reformed a police line on the other side of the fence. Law enforcement officers commanded the members of the crowd to stop advancing on the Capitol and disperse. Fonticoba helped pull the fence down. Then, defying officers’ commands to disperse, he continued to advance with the mob to the West Plaza.

             As law enforcement struggled to repel the mob, at about 1:21 p.m. Fonticoba and his associates moved from the police line and regrouped on the west lawn. He was among a surge of rioters to move up a flight of concrete stairs. Fonticoba entered the Capitol building with his Proud Boys co-defendants about 2:14 p.m.—less than 90 seconds after the initial breach of the Capitol— through the windows at the Senate Wing Door. Five minutes later, Fonticoba posted on Telegram: “We just stormed the capital [sic].”

             Following the riot, Fonticoba regrouped with senior Proud Boys leaders, including Enrique Tarrio, in a Baltimore hotel room.

             The FBI arrested Fonticoba on Oct. 26, 2021, in Miami.

             The felony obstruction charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and potential financial penalties. The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

             This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

             The case was investigated by the FBI’s Miami and Washington Field Offices. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance.

             In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

             Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty today to a felony offense related to his conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Cameron Edward Hess, 27, of Cleona, Pa., pleaded guilty to the felony offense of obstructing, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder before U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth in the District of Columbia.

            Judge Lamberth scheduled a sentencing hearing for Feb. 26, 2024.

            According to court documents, Hess was identified via closed-circuit television (CCTV) and open-source video as among the crowd of rioters who illegally entered the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, via the East Rotunda doors. A short time later, police pushed Hess out of the Capitol building. Hess again pushed into the Capitol building at approximately 3:24 p.m. while law enforcement officials attempted to direct the rioters out of the Rotunda door.

            Later, Hess was seen assaulting a police officer to regain access to the Capitol building. Hess had returned to the Rotunda doors as the police were attempting to close the doors and physically engaged with a Metropolitan Police Officer. During the confrontation, Hess attempted to hold the door open as the officer working to close it ordered Hess to stop. The police then successfully pushed Hess out of the Rotunda doors.

            Hess was arrested on March 1, 2023.

            The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Field Office’s Capital Area Resident Agency and the Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – An indictment was unsealed today charging Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) employee Tyrone Hunter, 52, of Seat Pleasant, Maryland, with two counts of extortion under color of official right and two counts of bribery concerning federal programs.  Hunter, whose job duties included responsibility for the disposal of WMATA surplus property, allegedly demanded and accepted cash payments from a WMATA surplus customer in exchange for giving that customer favorable treatment in two surplus property sales.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and WMATA Inspector General Rene Febles. Hunter made an initial appearance today in the District of Columbia before U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxilla A. Upadhyaya.

            According to the indictment, WMATA permits customers to conduct vehicle inspections free of charge but does not allow test drives. All WMATA surplus property sales are “as is” with no refunds. Hunter, an Investment Recovery Administrator for WMATA’s Office of Property Reutilization and Disposition Services, demanded that a WMATA customer pay him in exchange for the opportunity to fully inspect and test drive WMATA paratransit vans – which were offered for sale as surplus property – before bidding on them.

            An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

            This case is being investigated by FBI’s Washington Field Office and the WMATA Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

            WASHINGTON – Christopher Tyler, 46, of Washington, D.C., was presented in Superior Court today on charges of first-degree felony murder while armed stemming from the homicide of 24-year-old Nolan Edwards, on July 7, 2023, in the Benning neighborhood, in Northeast, Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

            Tyler was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Judith Pipe in Courtroom C-10, in D.C. Superior Court, where he entered a plea of not guilty. The court heard arguments and found probable cause to believe that the defendant committed first degree felony murder while armed. The court held the defendant without bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 30, 2023, before Judge Michael O’Keefe. 

            An arrest on a complaint is merely a formally charged allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

            In announcing the charge, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.